Safety apparatus of the barrier type



Feb. 25, 1958 L. J. NUTTING SAFETY APPARATUS OF THE BARRIER TYPE FiledNOV. 29, 1956 12219922303 .EecZie Jjvam'dg, I

BOJI -IT United state Patent 2,824,719 7 SAFETY APPARATUS OF THE BARRIERTYPE Leslie J. Nutting, Needham, Mass.

Application November 29, 1956, Serial No. 625,036

2 Claims. (Cl. 256-64) This invention relates to safety and signallingapparatus and more particularly to a device for marking and indicating adangerous condition or obstruction, particularly on the road or highway.This invention provides a rigid but collapsible, durable but lightweight barrier and warning means of simple and eflicient design andconstruction. The barrier type safety and signalling apparatus of theinvention is adapted for easy, compact portability and storage. It isdistinguished also by capacity for reflective indicating.

The invention will be better understood from a consideration of thefollowing specification taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my novel safety appa- Fig. 3 shows thebarrier and warning device in collapse non-use condition; I

Fig. 4 is a section taken along the line 4--4 of Fig. 3, as seen lookingfrom the left; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of one end of the cross arm, as seen withthe legs removed, and detailing the novel hinge fastening of theinvention.

My present invention relates to safety and signalling apparatus such asemployed primarily on and for controlling tra'ffic over vehicular roadsand ways. Appa ratus of the type here concerned has many and widespreaduses, as for signifying unexpected or unsafe conditions or circumstancesof automotive travel. More recently its ready availability and certaineffectiveness has become vitally necessary, in view of the speed andvolume of vehicular trafiic, to the safeguarding of life and property onthe highway. Such safety apparatus may be employed for advising orwarning motorists of road construction or repair, or detours, or slidesor washouts, etc., or for the protection of fire hose and otherequipment such as required to be placed on streets and roads. Or it maybe utilized as herein for signalling vehicular and the like moretemporary obstructions. It will be understood that the type of safetyapparatus here concerned is intended, not physically or forcibly to barthe motorists contact with, but rather to induce his timely avoidance ofthe particular unsafe condition or obstruction.

The apparatus of this invention is intended mainly to be carried andused by individual motorists, and primarily for warning the oncomingtraffic of the presence of vehicles stalled, or broken down, or for anytime and whatever reason halted on or proximate the travelled way. Tothis end my novel safety device is uniquely fashioned for collapsing andstowing in small compass, and for quick and easy setting up by hand. Itis capable also of self support in and ready shift between positions ofuse. Still further, it is specially designed for easy detection andrecognition, particularly under maximum hazard or low visibilityconditions.

Considering now more particularly Figs. 1 and 2, my

together with the associated barrier parts is of economical thin gaugemetal construction, and of such proportions, compatible with its lightweight and compact storage, as alford it desired stability and alsoarea, as for applying the indicia to be mentioned, and in addition forremote detection. importantly also the barrier device is given apreservative covering or coat of paint or the like for the mostconspicuous and distinctive appearance. Such coat may be of yellow orthe like color selected not only for brightness and contrast, but alsofor its association with cautionary or warning symbols or signals.

' Further in accordance with the invention I apply to the thus coatedcross member 10 and legs 20 means for conveying a particularintelligence, and also for promoting motorist detection and recognitionof the barrier, especially at night. Such means comprise reflectivepaint or other indicia 13, herein indicated mainly as taking one form ofa usual warning legend or message, i. e. $8110.

The support means 20 of my novel apparatus are seen from the severalviews to comprise leg pairs 21a, 21b hinged at their upper ends to theoppositeends of the cross member 10, and formed from channels such asbest combining high strength with low weight.

In accordance with the invention the leg pairs 21a,

21b are of differing width whereby when pivoted to parallelism with thearm 10 they may be nested one pair.

within the other, Fig. 4. As hereinbefore mentioned the legs 21 aregiven the same distinctive yellow or other coating as the cross arm 10,and carry also reflective markings of usual form, as herein the bars orstripes 22a,

22b, Fig. 1.

The manipulation of the legs 2% for both setting up and stowage of-thebarrier is permitted by the doubleaction hinge assemblies 30, eacharranged back-to-back with the opposite hinge of the same leg pair, andcomprising therewith a short, double headed bearing pin 31 receivedthrough the plate 11. Rotatably supported on the pins 31 are hinge orchannel brackets 32, arranged with their backs to said plate 11. Thebrackets 32 are securely fastened by means of the washers 33intermediate them and the heads of the pins 31, and promoting relativerotation therebetween.

The hinge assemblies 30 comprise further long pivot pins 34 spanning thebrackets 32 and received also through the channels 21a, 21b which latterare seen to be interfitted at their upper ends with the swivelling hingebrackets 32.

It will be clear from the foregoing that the legs 20 of my improvedbarrier are supported by the hinges 30 thereof for a double orvertically rotating and laterally swinging movement. More particularly,the legs are swingable on the pins 34 between the straight uprightposition and a maximum spread position in which the upper ends of thechannels 21, extending beyond the pins 34, engage or abut the crossmember 16). The channel sides may be cut back as shown, Fig. 1, topromote the desired full pivot stopping or conjoint channel side andback engagement with the cross member in the assembled position.

The double action hinges 30 comprise still further Patented Feb. 25,1958.

, 3 means for controlling the of the legs 21a, 21b between the erectedand collapsed positions, Figs. 1 and 3. Referring now more particularlyto Fig. 3, integral projections 'or dimples 35 are seen to be pressedout of the plate '11 either aboveland inwardly or below and outwardly ofthe pins .31, and tangential to the brackets 32, in the collapsed orvertical position of the latter. The height of the dimples 35 and theplay in the hinge 30 is predeterminedly such that the brackets 32 arepermitted a frictional riding over the dimples 35. In other words, bythe described interrelation of the parts the support legs 20 arerestrained against free or inadvertent fall from the nested or storageand carrying position, Fig. 3, but may be readily enough swung down, tothe set up or operating position, Fig. 1, the same requiring onlymoderate thrust.

The hinge assemblies 30 are completed by the stop lugs 36 which may alsobe pressed out of the plate 11, and again either above and outwardly orbelow and inwardly of the pins 31. The stops 36 are seen as arranged toengage against the brackets 32 when the same are swung to the set upposition as shown in dotted line, Fig. 5. It will be apparent from thisthat the stop lugs 36 not only promote the desired rapid erecting of thebarrier but also afi'ord it appropriate rigidity in the set up position.

From the foregoing it should be appreciated that I have provided acompact light weight warning and signalling device of simple andefficient design and also economical construction. My novel barrier hasbeen shown to be stowable in small compass, as in the trunk or toolcompartment of an automobile. The barrierdevice is capable also of quickwithdrawal from storage and erection on the roadway, as necessarily whenthe car, truck, or other vehicle is stopped in or proximate thetravelled way by the unanticipated exhaustion of the fuel, or blowingout of a tire.

By the apparatus of the invention, then, and at least if the barrier isspaced somewhat from the vehicle in the direction of the oncomingtraffic, motorists are warned by the detection of the barrier when at asafe distance from the disabled vehicle, and cautioned to slow orotherwise control their vehicles as necessary to avoid accident orinjury. It should be noted also that my improved barrier device mayserve additionally and by its suitable positioning to prevent theinadvertent or negligent movement of the halted motorist, as in thecourse of effecting repairs on his vehicle, out into the stream oftratlic.

vertical pivoting or rotation It will be understood that my invention isnot limited to the particular embodiments thereof illustrated anddescribed herein, and I set forth its scope in my following claims.

I claim:

1. A safety barrier and warning device comprising a lateral bar, rightangle flange on the bar, juxtaposed pivot bracket pairs rotatablysupported at the ends of said bar, double headed bearing pins receivedthrough said bar and bracket pairs and retaining the bracket pairs incommon axial backto-back engagement against the opposite faces of thebar, pivot pins spanning the arms of said bracket pairs, channel legsinterfitting with the brackets and swingable on said pins, said legs ofdiffering widths and nested one within the other in the bar-parallelingstorage position, beveled inner ends on said legs projecting upwardly ofsaid pins to engage said bar in the outwardly swung in-use position ofsaid legs, means on said barrier for resisting the rotation of saidbracket pairs from the storage position, and means on said barrier forstopping the rotation of the bracket pairs past the in-use position.

2. A safety barrier and warning device comprising a lateral bar,juxtaposed pivot bracket pairs rotatably supported at the ends of saidbar, double headed bearing pins received through said bar and bracketpairs and retaining the bracket pairs in common axial back-to-backengagement against the opposite faces of the bar, pivot pins spanningthe arms of said bracket pairs, channel legs interfitting with thebracket pairs and swingable on said pins, said legs of differing widthsand nested one within the other in the bar-paralleling storage position,dimples pressed out of said bar and engaging said bracket pairs in andso as to resist their rotation from said storage position, beveled innerends on said legs projecting upwardly of said pins to engage said barwhen the legs are swung outwardly to the bar-supporting use position,and stop lugs projecting from said bar and engaging said brackets whenrotated for said use positioning of said legs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,257,056 Wheatley Feb. 19, 1918 1,935,871 Coffed et a1. Nov. 21, 19332,507,880 Bell May 16, 1950 2,721,060 Morain Oct. 18, 1955

